The Somerset reporter., 1887-02-23
A BROKEN HEART.

down. III lne UcuTt Oh heDt--lndU nlOSU
beautiful of English counties-stands the
grand old Norman castle of Ayonleigh.
Built upon gentle elevation it commands
a splendid view of the richest scenery.
Broad stretches of forest whose giant
trees dwindle into mere atoms in the dis
lance. Gently undulating hills, merging
into the bluest skies in the dim distance,
with here and there tiny glimpse of sill
yer sea.
1t was the eve of that most disastrous
internal struggle, "The War of the
Roses when the fair flag of England
was stained with the blood of her noblest
sons. Lord John de Gray, the master of
Avonleigh, had already declared himself
warm adherent of the house of York,
and when the tide of war mingled its
turbulent stream with the pure and
peaceful waters of domestic life the gray
haired earl was found fighting bravely
beside his only son.
A mellow day in autumn is drawing to
a close, the soft light of harvest moon
is contending for supremacy with the
shadows of the sinking sun. In little
while the castle is bathed in the tender
moonlight, the clinging ivy leaves glisten
like silver and tremble from the faintest
perfumed breeze.
The earl S only daughter Lady Miriam,
a fair haired maiden with wondrously
beautiful face, is down in the quaint old
garden, drawn thither by the singular
beauty of the night; and, verify, moon
never shone upon fairer form than hers,
and the flowers sent forth their sleeping
incense to greet this living Rose of
Avonleigh.
As she stopped to pluck white rose
from its thorny stem the delicate finger
was pierced and crimson drop stained
the roses purity, but no murmur escaped
her, and gathering up the folds of her
white robe she walked slowly back to the
castle.
Young and beautiful, surrounded with
wealth and pleasures, this young girl
knew not what unhappiness meant; like
a bird whose gilded cage protects and
shelters her, life indeed was all sunshine
without II shadow.
Though rumors of war were in the air
and men spoke in serious tones of the
strife which seemed inevitable, no
thought of danger marred the calm happi-
ness of her existence.
Already she had given her heart to
young Wilfred Aylmer, as brave and
handsome youth as the sun ever shone
upon, and whose strong, young arm shall
also be welded in the cause of the noble
house of York
Through the wide, dimly lighted hall
way Lady Miriam walked slowly and al
most unconsciously, clasping the now half
crimsoned rose to her bosom, until she
reached her fathers study.
The old earl sat in profound thought
and did not heed the soft football until
tender check was laid against his own
"What II dark brown study my dear
father is i'm murmured the sweet voice
The carl's face was scanned and shad-
owed with care as he lifted his head and
a sudden paleness overspread his features
when he saw the white rose which she
laughingly held up to his gaze.
81 was thinking of you, my pearl, " he
replied, drawing the fair head down to
him and kissing the sweet, childish
mouth, but now that you are here, u he
added, like CLEAN of sunlight among
my shadows, | am no longer sad But
seeing a shade of pain in her eyes he
added hastily
~ was indeed thinking of the time
when some one would rob me of the fair
est flower in my garden of roses.
She chided him lovingly for thinking
too soon, and, with her accustomed prayer
anu BOoi hlSSi ltIt lliiIl
Up the wide staircase she goes, slowly
and thoughtfully, now through the great
picture gallery, where the old fashioned
but beautiful faces of other Lady Miriams
looked down upon her. VAST the weird
moonlight that made those dead faces
seem to bend from their stiff frames and
cause CLEAN of sadness to light up the
dead eyes that seemed to follow her us
she passed beneath them?
She soon reached her favorite room,
high in the west wing, n coy nook,
where she loved to look upon the moon
light scene without and inhale the faint
fragrance of the garden beneath.
Lady Miriam's life had inCSed been like
to the unruiIled bosom of clear, calm
lake. Her placid bosom had never been
disturbed by Il sad thought. True, within
the past few months, her heart had awak-
ened, budlike, to the new and sweet
knowledge of another love. That very
morning she had been plighted to Sir
Wilfred Aylmer, and their marriage
would be celebrated when the war cloud
had rolled past.
Long and sadly the earl unused that
night; his heart was full of foreboding of
coming sorrow. What if in this war
which every day seems more imminent he
should fall? What if this, his one eve
lamb, should be rphaned-desolate? He
tried to drive away his gloomy imagin-
ings by recalling the sweet face of her
who had just left him with words of love
and hope, and prayed that this "bitter
chalice" might pass away"
But, alas! a month later saw the rival
parties engaged in determined and deadly
strife-saw also the white haired earl
and his son fighting side by side with
young Wilfred Aylmer.
Oh, selfish kings and avricious princes,
how little We reckon the cost of your
crowns; how little We care. News trav-
eled slowly in those days, but medieval
maidens did not sigh and pine like us of
modern times, but looked hopefully for
the triumphant return of their victors,
their minds being nodded and tinted to
their warlike surroundings, Battles
BODIED only an access of honor and glory.
Rumors at length reached Avonlcigh
that great and decisive battle had been
fought, in which the house of York had
triumphed. Preparations ON n magnifl-
cent scale had commenced at the castle
for the return of the victors. Joy bells
rang from every steeple and bclfry in the
village. All were jubilant in the belief
that their noble lord was coming home
with honors All, but here was mes
senger at last riding in hot haste. He
looked neither to the right nor the left as
he rode past the gay banners and resound-
ing cheers Of the happy villagers. Both
horse and man were sore, jaded and COW
cred with foam from long and continued
riding, but he never drew rein until he
reached the castle, whose gates were
thrown wide open, bar and bolt giving
way to graceful arch and emblems Of well
come
In the outer courtyard he filings the rein
to servant, who stares at him in silent
wonder. Another atonished lackey is re-
quested to lead him to the presence of
Lady Miriam.
Through gorgeously decorated halls,
where the air is heavy with the odor of
flowers, huge vases of white roses greet
the eye at every step, dropping, as if in
welcome, their rich petals at his feet.
Truly the fairest and fittest welcome to
the victor.
Geoffry Vane was brave gentleman